Claim OwnershipThe Write Place (formerly The Joined Up Writing Podcast)
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Joined Up Writing is now The Write Place! A new name but the same great content - hundreds of interviews with writers giving the stories behind their books and paths to publication. Packed with advice, inspiration and tips and hosted by crime writer, producer and writing coach, Wayne Kelly, The Write Place is a regular podcast for writers and book lovers. Tuesdays on the Web, iTunes, Android and Spotify.
136 Episodes
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In this episode of The Write Place Podcast I chat with bestselling author Lulu Taylor about her new novel A Legacy of Secrets, her long career in commercial fiction and why she loves writing sweeping, gothic-tinged family sagas. We dig into the craft behind dual timelines, the challenges of discovery writing and how her background as a fiction editor shaped the way she approaches story structure and character. Lulu also talks candidly about creative setbacks, including a difficult fallout wit...
This week I’m joined by bestselling fantasy author and BookTok favourite, Rebecca Thorne, to talk about her newly republished novel This Gilded Abyss. We get into the origins of the book, how she built its eerie underwater world, and why she wanted to step away from cosy fantasy and write something darker and more intense. Rebecca also speaks honestly about her path from eight years of traditional rejection to rapid indie success, and what it has been like navigating both sides of the industr...
Join The Momentum Circle writing community - applications close on Sept 30th! CLINK THE LINK FOR MORE INFO Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world. In this episode I’m joined by Alan Green, debut author of Sound Advice, a fascinating book that digs into the hidden life lessons of 1980s pop music. Alan shares how redundancy after nearly three decades at a law firm sparked a complete li...
Want to find out more about my critique group and writing community - Momentum Circle? Check it out here - wkwproductions.co.uk/mentoring This week I’m joined by Tom Cox, author of fifteen books spanning fiction, memoir, and journalism. Tom’s work blends the folkloric and the surreal with an eye for human nature and the landscapes that inspire him. His latest novel, Everything Will Swallow You, is out now and continues his exploration of storytelling that defies easy categorisation. In our co...
Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world. This week I’m joined by Stefan Mohamed, author of The House on Utopia Way. Stefan has published award-winning YA and speculative fiction, but in this conversation we dive into his surreal, cyberpunk-noir detective novel, and the winding road that took him from traditional publishing into the world of self-publishing. We also cover the frustra...
Niloufar Lamakan on Persistence, Late Starts, and Age-Positive Fiction My guest this week is debut novelist Niloufar Lamakan, whose rom-com Aged to Perfection celebrates older protagonists and smashes stereotypes about women over 60. We talk about Niloufar’s unexpected path into writing via a creative writing course, the determination it took to push through 42 rejections before landing a publishing deal, and why comedy needs emotional depth to really connect. She also shares candid insights ...
Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world. This week, I’m chatting to author Alex Starritt, whose latest novel Drayton and Mackenzie is an ambitious, thought-provoking exploration of friendship, purpose, and modern life. We talk about the challenges of writing a big, literary novel spanning over a decade of social and political upheaval, the role of work in fiction, and how Alex’s backg...
Take a look here to see how I can help you publish your book! In this week’s episode, I chat to author and illustrator Gemma Denham, whose debut adult novel The Storm is a gripping locked-room mystery set in the Lake District. We talk about Gemma’s fascinating path from children’s book illustrator to crime writer, why she made the switch, and how a personal 40-before-40 challenge helped her finally write her first novel. We also dig into the benefits of writing retreats, plotting versus pants...
Take a look here to see how I can help you publish your book! This week’s guest is the brilliant Russ Litten – author, screenwriter, editor and long-time writer-in-residence in prisons across the UK. We discuss his latest novel The Crime Writer, a gritty, compelling story inspired by his first-hand experiences working with inmates on their life stories. Russ shares insights on the blurred line between fact and fiction, why authenticity matters, and how to retain your creative curiosity – even...
Take a look here to see how I can help you publish your book! In this episode of The Write Place, I chat with Northern Irish author Hannah King about the creative process behind her gripping second novel, The Blind Spot. We talk about dual timelines, writing from a child’s perspective, and how to keep readers turning the page. Hannah shares her journey from creative writing student to published novelist, her experience as a legal transcriber, and the reality of writing the dreaded second book...
Hi, I'm Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world. In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Hannah Murray – a seasoned radio and TV presenter, passionate book lover, and co-host of the Marbella with Him and Her podcast. Based in Marbella, Spain, Hannah brings a wealth of experience from over two decades in broadcasting, including her popular book show on Talk Radio Europe and her regular ap...
In this week’s episode I’m joined by author, playwright and journalist Stephen Spotswood, who's here to talk about Dead in the Frame, the latest instalment in his 1940s-set mystery series featuring sleuthing duo Pentecost and Parker. Stephen shares the inspirations behind the series—drawing on golden age mysteries, hardboiled noir, and classic radio dramas—and explains how the fifth book sees a shake-up in the usual dynamic between Will and Lillian. We also chat about how his background in pl...
🎧 The Write Place Podcast – Episode 241 Guest: Natalie Chandler – Author of The Voices Hi, I'm Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world. And this week’s guest is no exception… Natalie Chandler joins me to talk about her new psychological thriller, The Voices – her third novel and her first hardback release. We chat about the dream that sparked her chilling high-concept premise, what it’s like...
The Call Back is currently only £3.99/$3.99! Check it out here. Hi, I'm Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world. In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by crime writer Roxie Key to discuss her brilliant debut novel The Deadly Spark, a character-driven blend of psychological suspense and police procedural. We get into the real story behind Roxie’s writing journey—from 50+ rejec...
In this fascinating episode of The Write Place Podcast, host Wayne Kelly is joined by Rebeka Russell, founder of Manderley Press, to discuss the power of place in storytelling, the challenges of independent publishing, and her latest release, Mary Shelley in Bath. Rebeka shares how her love of history and literature led her to create a small press dedicated to reviving classic works connected to real-world locations. She discusses the importance of book design, working with artists to create ...
In this insightful episode of The Write Place Podcast, host Wayne Kelly welcomes historical fiction author Karen Heenan for her third appearance on the show. Karen shares her journey from being traditionally published with a small press to becoming a successful self-published author with multiple series under her belt. She discusses the challenges and rewards of indie publishing, offering valuable insights into book marketing, cover design, and Amazon advertising. Karen’s latest novel, French...
In this episode of The Write Place, I’m joined by award-winning historical crime novelist D.V. Bishop for a deep dive into the craft of storytelling, structure, and writing with confidence. D.V. shares his Wallace & Gromit approach to plotting—laying the tracks just ahead of the train as he writes—and why mystery writers don’t always need to know the ending before they begin. We discuss the pressures of writing under contract, the benefits of finishing Book Two before Book One is publishe...
Welcome to The Write Place Podcast! This week, we’re joined by the Icelandic master of mystery, Ragnar Jónasson, author of internationally acclaimed crime novels such as the Dark Iceland and Hulda series. Ragnar shares insights into his writing process, the inspiration behind his latest book, Death at the Sanatorium, and how he crafts his atmospheric, edge-of-your-seat mysteries. In this episode, Ragnar discusses: The influence of Agatha Christie on his work and his experience translating her...
- Download your FREE Write or Die Writer's Survival Kit! In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, Wayne Kelly sits down with psychological thriller author and social media expert Zoe Lea to discuss the twists and turns of her writing journey. From the book that saved her life to the struggles of self-doubt and navigating the complexities of her craft, Zoe shares raw and inspiring insights into the life of an author. They delve into Zoe's latest novel, Closer Than She Thinks, exploring the...
SHOW LINKS: Download your FREE Write or Die Writer's Survival Kit! Get 40% Discount on Wayne's online course - How To Successfully Self-Publish Course (use code 'WP40') Email your feedback to wayne(at)waynekellywrites.com Joined Up Writing is now . . . THE WRITE PLACE! Bringing you even more great writer interviews, inspiration, tips and advice on how to survive and thrive as a writer. After 10 years and hundreds of episodes I’ve decided to change things up, starting with a new nam...
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Congrats on 100 episodes Wayne! Keep it up 💪
Great podcast, really enjoying all the tips 👍